Mobile communication system, radio base station, radio mobile station and mobile communication method

ABSTRACT

A mobile communication system that includes a first communication system, which features a user terminal that is present in a moving object, a first radio base station that forms a cell in the moving object, and a first core network that is connected with an external network, and a second communication system, which features a radio mobile station that is provided in the moving object, a second radio base station that forms a cell on the path of the movement of the moving object, and a second core network that is connected with the second radio base station. The first radio base station and the radio mobile station are connected via a user-plane interface and a control-plane interface between the radio base stations and the core networks.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to mobile communication (group mobility(GM)) by user terminals that are present in a moving object.

BACKGROUND ART

In LTE (Long Term Evolution) and successor mobile communication systemsof LTE (referred to as, for example, “LTE-Advanced,” “FRA (Future RadioAccess),” “4G,” etc.), a user terminal (UE: User Equipment) transmitsand receives user data (user (“U”)-plane) and control signals (control(“C”)-plane) to and from a core network (“CN,” also referred to as “EPC”(Evolved Packet Core) and so on) via a radio base station (eNB: eNodeB)(see, for example, non-patent literature 1).

As shown in FIG. 1, in the user plane, a user terminal, a radio basestation and a device on the core network (for example, a serving gateway(S-GW), a packet data network gateway (P-GW (Packet data networkGateWay)/PDN-GW), etc.) transmit and receive user data. Also, in thecontrol-plane, a user terminal, a radio base station and a device on thecore network (for example, the above-noted S-GW, P-GW, a mobilitymanagement entity (MME), etc.) transmit and receive control signals.

CITATION LIST Non-Patent Literature

Non-Patent Literature 1:3GPP TS 36.300 V10.2.0, “Evolved UniversalTerrestrial Radio Access (E-UTRA) and Evolved Universal TerrestrialRadio Access Network (E-UTRAN); Overall Description”

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Technical Problem

In the above mobile communication system, when many user terminals (UE:User Equipment) that are present in the same moving object (for example,a train, a bus, a ship, and/or the like) carry out mobile communication(group mobility (GM)), each user terminal separately connects with aradio base station and communicates, and therefore there is a threatthat the system performance is deteriorated due to the control overheadand the concentration of traffic.

For example, as shown in FIG. 2, when a moving object moves from a cell1 (macro cell) to a cell 2 (macro cell), many user terminals in thismoving object make a handover from a radio base station 1 to a radiobase station 2 all at once. Therefore, there is a threat that adeterioration of system performance might result from increased overheadof control signals, concentrated traffic in radio base stations 1 and 2and so on.

The present invention has been made in view of the above, and it istherefore an object of the present invention to provide a mobilecommunication system, a radio base station, a radio mobile station and amobile communication method that can improve system performance whenuser terminals that are present in a moving object perform mobilecommunication.

Solution to Problem

The mobile communication system of the present invention provides amobile communication system having a first communication system, whichincludes a user terminal that is present in a moving object, a firstradio base station that forms a cell in the moving object, and a firstcore network that is connected to an external network, and a secondcommunication system, which includes a radio mobile station that isprovided in the moving object, a second radio base station that forms acell on a path of movement of the moving object, and a second corenetwork that is connected to the second radio base station, and, in thismobile communication system, the first radio base station and the radiomobile station are connected via a user-plane interface and acontrol-plane interface between the radio base stations and the corenetworks.

Technical Advantage of the Invention

According to the present invention, system performance can be improvedwhen user terminals that are present in a moving object perform mobilecommunication.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram to explain user/control-planes in conventionalmobile communication systems;

FIG. 2 is a diagram to show an example of a conventional mobilecommunication system;

FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram of group mobility;

FIG. 4 is a diagram to show an overall structure of a mobilecommunication system according to a first embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a diagram to explain the user/control-planes in the mobilecommunication system according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 6 provide diagrams to explain the protocol stacks in the mobilecommunication system according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a diagram to show a detailed structure of the mobilecommunication system according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a diagram to show an overall structure of a mobilecommunication system according to a second embodiment;

FIG. 9 is a diagram to explain the user/control-planes in mobilecommunication system according to the second embodiment;

FIG. 10 provide diagrams to explain the protocol stacks in the mobilecommunication system according to the second embodiment; and

FIG. 11 is a diagram to show a detailed structure of the mobilecommunication system according to the second embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram of a group mobility (GM) system in whichmany user terminals that are present in a moving object carry out mobilecommunication. As shown in FIG. 3, the GM system is formed by includingradio base stations (hereinafter referred to as “GM base stations”) thatare placed along the path of the movement of a moving object, and mobilestations (hereinafter referred to as “GM mobile stations”) that areplaced on the moving object.

The GM base stations form cells (hereinafter referred to as “GM cells,”but may be also referred to as “moving cells” and/or the like) thatcover the path of movement. In the GM cells, frequency bands that aredifferent from those of cells with relatively large coverage(hereinafter referred to as “macro cells”) and cells with relativelysmall coverage (hereinafter referred to as “small cells”) (for example,SHF (Super High Frequency) bands and EHF (Extremely High Frequency)bands) may be used. The use of different frequency bands makes itpossible to reduce the load on existing macro cells and small cells, andprevent concentration of traffic.

The GM mobile stations are placed in the moving object and communicatewith the GM base stations. The GM mobile stations make a handoverbetween the GM base stations in GM cell edges. Note that the GM mobilestations can also communicate with radio base stations that form macrocells (macro base stations) and radio base stations that form smallcells (small base stations).

In the GM system, the GM base stations and the GM mobile stations mayeach communicate using beams that are formed by using a plurality ofantenna elements (beamforming). Beamforming makes it possible to followrelative location changes accompanying the movement of the object, andachieve stable communication quality. In particular, the quality ofcommunication can be further improved by using beamforming (massive MIMOstructure) of high reliability that uses a large number of (for example,1024) antenna elements.

Now, to allow a user terminal in the moving object to communicate byusing the GM system, it is necessary to provide a device for relayingcommunication between the user terminal and a GM mobile station in themoving object. For such a device, for example, a radio base station(hereinafter referred to as “intra-moving object base station”) to forma cell (small cell) of a cellular scheme (for example, LTE, LTE-A, FRA,etc.), and an access point (AP) to form a Wi-Fi spot of a Wi-Fi schememay be possible.

When an intra-moving object base station of a cellular scheme isprovided, in what configuration the intra-moving object and are GMmobile station are connected is the problem. So, the present inventorshave come up with the idea of improving system performance when manyuser terminals in a moving object perform mobile communication, byadequately connecting between intra-moving object base stations and GMmobile stations, and thereupon arrived at the present invention.

Now, a mobile communication system according to the present embodimentwill be described in detail below. Note that, in the mobilecommunication system according to the present embodiment, the movingobject in which many user terminals can be placed may be, for example, atrain, a bus, a ship and/or the like, and can be any object as long asit moves along a predetermined path. A case will be described below asan example in which the moving object is a train.

(First Embodiment)

The mobile communication system according to the first embodiment willbe described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 7. In the mobile communicationsystem according to the first embodiment, an intra-moving object basestation and a GM mobile station are connected with interfaces betweenradio base stations and core networks, thereby allowing the GM mobilestation to function as a backhaul entrance for the intra-moving objectbase station.

Here, the interfaces between radio base stations and core networksinclude a user-plane interface and a control-plane interface. Theuser-plane interface between radio base stations and core networks is,for example, the S1-U interface, but is by no means limited to this.Also, the control-plane interface between radio base stations and corenetworks is, for example, the S1-MME (also referred to as “S1-C”)interface, but is by no means limited to this.

(1.1) Structure of Mobile Communication System 1

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a mobile communication system accordingto a first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 4, a mobile communication system1 includes a radio mobile station (hereinafter referred to as “GM mobilestation”) 20 that is provided in a moving object 10, a radio basestation (hereinafter referred to as “GM base station”) 30 (second radiobase station) that is placed along the path of the movement of themoving object 10, a core network (CN) 40 (first core network) that isconnected to an external network (NW) 50 such as the Internet, and acore network (CN) 60 (second core network) that is connected to the GMbase station 30 and the CN 40.

Also, in the moving object 10, a user terminal 11 and a radio basestation that forms a cell C (small cell) (hereinafter referred to as“intra-moving object base station”) 12 (first radio base station) areprovided. Note that the user terminal 11 is a terminal to supportvarious communication schemes such as LTE, LTE-A, FRA, etc.

Also, the mobile communication system 1 is formed by including acellular system 1 (first communication system) accommodating the userterminal 11, the intra-moving object base station 12 and the CN 40, anda cellular system 2 (second communication system) accommodating the GMmobile station 20, the GM base station 30 and the CN 60. As shown inFIG. 4, the cellular system 2 is provided as an inner system (backhaulsystem) of the cellular system 1. Consequently, between the intra-movingobject base station 12, which serves as the connecting point of thecellular system 1 and the cellular system 2, and the GM mobile station20, user/control-plane interfaces (for example, the S1-U/S1-MMEinterfaces) between radio base stations and core networks are used.Similarly, between the CN 40 and the CN 60, user/control-planeinterfaces (for example, the S1-U/S1-MME interfaces) between radio basestations and core networks are used.

In the mobile communication system 1, the user terminal 11 connects with(serves) the intra-moving object base station 12, which moves with themoving object 10. Consequently, unlike when the user terminal 11directly connects with (serves) a macro base station (see FIG. 3), ahandover is not repeated accompanying the movement of the moving object10. Therefore, even when many user terminals 11 in the moving object 10perform mobile communication, it is still possible to reduce the controloverhead due to handovers and the concentration of traffic, and improvethe system performance.

(1.2) User/Control-Plane Communication Process

Communication using the user plane and the control plane in the mobilecommunication system according to the first embodiment will be describedwith reference to FIGS. 5 and 6. FIG. 5 is a diagram to explain theuser/control planes in the mobile communication system according to thefirst embodiment. As shown in FIG. 5, in the mobile communication system1, communication using a user plane 1 and communication using a controlplane 1 are carried out between the user terminal 11 and the CN 40.

To be more specific, in the user plane 1, uplink user data istransmitted from the user terminal 11 to the CN 40 via the intra-movingobject base station 12. Downlink user data from the external NW 50 istransmitted from the CN 40 to the user terminal 11 via the intra-movingobject base station 12.

In the control plane 1, control signals are transmitted and receivedbetween the user terminal 11 and the CN 40, between the user terminal 11and the intra-moving object base station 12 and between the intra-movingobject base station 12 and the CN 40. Note that the control signals(uplink/downlink control signals) include signals for use for themobility control, initial access authentication control and so on of theuser terminal 11.

In the mobile communication system 1, communication using the user plane2 and communication using the control plane 2 are carried out betweenthe GM mobile station 20 and the CN 60.

To be more specific, in the user plane 2, the GM mobile station 20transmits uplink user data and uplink control signals of lower layers(for example, L1 and L2 layers), received from the intra-moving objectbase station 12, to the CN 60 as uplink user data. The CN 60 transmitsboth the uplink user data and the uplink control signals (lower layerdata) of lower layers (for example, L1 and L2 layers) to the CN 40.

In the user plane 2, the CN 60 transmits downlink user data and downlinkcontrol signals of lower layers (for example, L1 and L2 layers),received from the CN 40, to the GM mobile station 20 as downlink userdata. The GM mobile station 20 transmits both the downlink user data andthe downlink control signals (lower layer data) of lower layers (forexample, L1 and L2 layers) to the intra-moving object base station 12.

In the control plane 2, control signals are transmitted and receivedbetween the GM mobile station 20 and the CN 60, between the GM mobilestation 20 and the GM base station 30 and between the GM base station 30and the CN 60.

FIG. 6 provide diagrams to show examples of protocol stacks in themobile communication system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6Ashows user-plane protocol stacks, and FIG. 6B shows control-planeprotocol stacks. Note that the protocol stacks of FIGS. 6A and 6B aresimply examples, and these are by no means limiting.

As shown in FIG. 6A, in the user plane, the user terminal 11 and theintra-moving object base station 12 transmit and receive user data, byusing L1 (layer 1/physical layer), MAC (Medium Access Control), RLC(Radio Link Control) and PDCP, via a radio interface (referred to as “Uuinterface” and so on). The intra-moving object base station 12 convertsthe L1, MAC, RLC and PDCP data into L1, L2, UDP (User DatagramProtocol)/IP (Internet Protocol) and GTP-U (GPRS Tunneling Protocol forthe User Plane) data.

The intra-moving object base station 12 and the CN 40 transmit andreceive user data by using GTP-U and UDP/IP via the user-plane interface(referred to as the “S1-U interface” and so on) between the radio basestations and the core networks.

Although not illustrated, a plurality of gateway devices (for example,an S-GW and a P-GW) are provided in the CN 40. Communication using L1,L2, UDP/IP and GTP-U may be carried out between the S-GW and the P-GW(in the case of GTP S5/S8), and communication using L1, L2, IPv4/v6(Internet Protocol version 4/version 6) and the GRE (Generic RoutingEncapsulation) tunnel may be carried out between the S-GW and the P-GW(in the case of PMIP (Proxy Mobile IP) S5/S8).

The gateway device (for example, the P-GW) of the CN 40 converts the L1,L2, UDP/IP and GTP-U data of the user plane 1 into L1, L2 and IP data(in the event of GTP S5/S8). This gateway device may convert the L1, L2,IPv4/v6, the GRE tunnel, IP data of the user plane 1 into L1, L2 and IPdata (in the event of PMIP S5/S8).

The intra-moving object base station 12 and the GM mobile station 20transmit and receive user data, by using L1 and L2, via the user-planeinterface (referred to as the “S1-U interface” and so on) between theradio base stations and the core networks. The GM mobile station 20converts the L1 and L2 data of the user plane 1 into L1, MAC, RLC andPDCP data of the user plane 2.

The GM mobile station 20 and the GM base station 30 transmit and receiveuser data by using L1, MAC, RLC and PDCP via the radio interface(referred to as “Uu interface” and so on). The GM base station 30converts the L1, MAC, RLC, PDCP and IP data of the user plane 2 into L1,L2, UDP/IP and GTP-U data of the user plane 2.

The GM base station 30 and the CN 60 transmit and receive user data byusing L1, L2, UDP/IP and GTP-U via the user-plane interface (referred toas the “S1-U interface” and so on) between the radio base stations andthe core networks.

Note that, although not illustrated, a plurality of gateway devices (forexample, an S-GW and a P-GW) are provided in the CN 60. Communicationusing L1, L2, UDP/IP and GTP-U may be carried out between the S-GW andthe P-GW (in the event of GTP S5/S8), or communication using L1, L2,IPv4/v6 and the GRE tunnel may be carried out between the S-GW and theP-GW (in the event of PMIP S5/S8).

The gateway device (for example, the P-GW) of the CN 60 converts L1, L2,UDP/IP and GTP-U data of the user plane 2 into L1 and L2 data of theuser plane 1 (in the event of GTP S5/S8). This gateway device mayconvert the L1, L2, IPv4/v6 and GRE-tunnel data of the user plane 2 intoL1 and L2 data of the user plane 1 (in the event of PMIP S5/S8).

The CN 60 and the CN 40 transmit and receive user data by using L1 andL2 via the user-plane interface (referred to as the “S1-U interface” andso on) between the radio base stations and the core networks.

The CN 40 and the external NW 50 transmit and receive user data by usingL1, L2 and IP, via the interface (referred to as “SGi interface” and soon) with the external NW.

As shown in FIG. 6B, in the control plane, the user terminal 11 and theintra-moving object base station 12 transmit and receive controlsignals, by using L1, MAC, RLC, PDCP and RRC (Radio Resource Control),via the radio interface (referred to as “Uu interface” and so on). Theintra-moving object base station 12 converts the L1, MAC, RLC, PDCP andRRC data of the control plane 1 into L1, L2, IP, SCTP (Stream ControlTransmission Protocol) and S1-AP data.

The intra-moving object base station 12 and the CN 40 transmit andreceive control signals by using IP, SCTP and S1-AP via thecontrol-plane interface (referred to as the “S1-MME interface” and soon) between the radio base stations and the core networks. Also, the UE11 and the CN 40 transmit and receive control signals by using NAS.

The intra-moving object base station 12 and the GM mobile station 20transmit and receive control signals by using L1 and L2 via thecontrol-plane interface (referred to as the “S1-MME interface” and soon) between the radio base stations and the core networks. The GM mobilestation 20 converts the L1 and L2 data of the control plane 1 into L1,MAC, RLC and PDCP data of the user plane 2.

The user plane 2 communication process between the GM mobile station 20and the GM base station 30 and the user plane 2 communication processbetween the GM base station 30 and the CN 60 have been described withreference to FIG. 6A. The gateway device of the CN 60 (for example, aP-GW) converts L1, L2, UDP/IP and GTP-U data of the user plane 2 into L1and L2 data of the control plane 1.

(1.3) Structure of Each Device

The structure of each device in the mobile communication systemaccording to the first embodiment will be described with reference toFIG. 7. FIG. 7 is a diagram to show the structure of each device in themobile communication system according to the first embodiment. Note thateach device shown FIG. 7 has hardware including a processor, a memory,an RF (Radio Frequency) circuit, an antenna, a display, a userinterface, and a software module to be executed by the processor isstored in the memory. Each device structure may be implemented by theabove-noted hardware, may be implemented by the software module that isexecuted by the processor, or may be implemented by the combination ofboth.

(1.3.1) Structure of User Terminal 11

As shown in FIG. 7, the user terminal 11 has a radio communicationsection 111, a data processing section 112 and a control section 113.

The radio communication section 111 transmits and receives user data ofthe user plane 1 and control signals of the control plane 1 with theintra-moving object base station 12 via a radio interface (for example,the Uu interface). For example, the radio communication section 111 maycarry out communication using L1 (FIGS. 6A and 6B). Note that the radiocommunication section 111 may carry out radio communication with macrobase stations and small base stations provided outside the moving object10.

The data processing section 112 performs data processing of the radiointerface (for example, the Uu interface). For example, the dataprocessing section 112 may process MAC, RLC, PDCP, IP and applicationprotocol data (see FIG. 6A). Also, the data processing section 112 mayprocess MAC, RLC, PDCP, RRC and NAS (Non-Access Stratum) data (see FIG.6B).

The control section 113 controls the radio communication section 111 andthe data processing section 112. Also, the control section 113 mayexecute RRC control with respect to the intra-moving object base station12, or execute NAS control with respect to the CN 40.

(1.3.2) Structure of Intra-Moving Object Base Station 12

As shown in FIG. 7, the intra-moving object base station 12 has a radiocommunication section 121, a data processing section 122, a network (NW)communication section 123 and a control section 124.

The radio communication section 121 transmits and receives user data ofthe user plane 1, control signals of the user plane 1 and so on, withthe user terminal 11, via a radio interface (for example, the Uuinterface). For example, the radio communication section 121 maycommunicate by using L1 (FIGS. 6A and 6B).

The data processing section 122 performs data processing of the radiointerface (for example, the Uu interface) and the user/control-planeinterfaces (for example, the S1-U/S1-MME interfaces) between the radiobase stations and the core networks. For example, the data processingsection 122 may perform the conversion process of MAC, RLC and PDCP userdata and L1, L2, UDP/IP and GTP-U user data (see FIG. 6A). The dataprocessing section 122 may perform the conversion process of MAC, RLC,PDCP and RRC control signals and L2, IP, SCTP and S1-AP control signals(see FIG. 6B).

The NW communication section 123 transmits and receives user data of theuser plane 1, control signals of the control plane 1 and so on, with theGM mobile station 20, via the user/control-plane interfaces (forexample, the S1-U/S1-MME interfaces) between the radio base stations andthe core networks.

The control section 124 controls the radio communication section 121,the data processing section 122 and the NW communication section 123.The control section 124 may execute RRC control with respect to the userterminal 11, or execute S1-AP control with respect to the CN 40. In thiscase, RRC and S1-AP need not be subjected to conversion in the dataprocessing section 122.

(1.3.3) Structure of GM Mobile Station 20

As shown in FIG. 7, the GM mobile station 20 has a network (NW)communication section 201, a data processing section 202, a radiocommunication section 203 and a control section 204.

The NW communication section 201 transmits and receives user data of theuser plane 1, control signals of the control plane 1 and so on, with theintra-moving object base station 12, via the user/control-planeinterfaces (for example, the S1-U/S1-MME interfaces) between the radiobase stations and the core networks. For example, the NW communicationsection 201 may communicate by using L1 and L2 (FIGS. 6A and 6B).

The data processing section 202 performs data processing of the radiointerface (for example, the Uu interface), the user/control-planeinterfaces (for example, the S1-U/S1-MME interfaces) between the radiobase stations and the core networks. For example, the data processingsection 202 may convert lower layer (L1 and L2) user data of the userplane 1 and lower layer (L1 and L2) control signals of the control plane1 into L1, MAC, RLC, PDCP and IP user data of the user plane 2 (seeFIGS. 6A and 6B).

The radio communication section 203 transmits and receives user data andcontrol signals with the GM base station 30 via a radio interface (forexample, the Uu interface). To be more specific, the radio communicationsection 203 transmits and receives user data of the user plane 2 andcontrol signals of the control plane 2 with the GM base station 30. Forexample, the radio communication section 203 may communicate by using L1(FIGS. 6A and 6B).

The radio communication section 203 may carry out radio communicationwith the GM base station 30 by using beamforming. When the radiocommunication section 203 holds many antenna elements, it is possible toexecute even more reliable beamforming with massive MIMO. By means ofbeamforming, it is possible to improve the quality of communicationbetween the GM mobile station 20 and the GM base station 30.

The control section 204 controls the NW communication section 201, thedata processing section 202 and the radio communication section 203.Also, the control section 204 may execute NAS control with respect tothe CN 60, or execute RRC control with respect to the GM base station30.

(1.3.4) Structure of GM Base Station 30

As shown in FIG. 7, the GM base station 30 has a radio communicationsection 301, a data processing section 302, a network (NW) communicationsection 303 and a control section 304.

The radio communication section 301 transmits and receives user data ofthe user plane 2 and control signals of the control plane 2 with the GMmobile station 20 via a radio interface (for example, the Uu interface).For example, the radio communication section 301 may communicate byusing L1 (FIGS. 6A and 6B).

The radio communication section 301 may carry out radio communicationwith the GM mobile station 20 by using beamforming. When the radiocommunication section 301 holds many antenna elements, it is possible toexecute even more reliable beamforming with massive MIMO. By means ofbeamforming, it is possible to improve the quality of communicationbetween the GM mobile station 20 and the GM base station 30.

The data processing section 302 performs data processing of the radiointerface (for example, the Uu interface) and the user/control-planeinterfaces (for example, the S1-U/S1-MME interfaces) between the radiobase stations and the core networks. For example, the data processingsection 302 may perform the conversion process of MAC, RLC and PDCP dataand L2, UDP/IP and GTP-U data (see FIGS. 6A and 6B).

The NW communication section 303 transmits and receives user data of theuser plane 2 and control signals of the control plane 2 with the CN 60via the user/control-plane interfaces (for example, the S1-U/S1-MMEinterfaces) between the radio base stations and the core networks.

The control section 304 controls a radio communication section 301, adata processing section 302 and a NW communication section 303. Also,the control section 304 may execute RRC control with respect to the GMmobile station 20 or execute S1-AP control with respect to the CN 60.

(1.3.5) Structure of CN 60

As shown in FIG. 7, the CN 60 has a network (NW) communication section601, a data processing section 602, a network (NW) communication section603 and a control section 604. Note that the following structure of theCN 60 has only to be constituted with at least one of the S-GW, the P-GWand the MME that are provided in the CN 60.

The NW communication section 601 transmits and receives user data of theuser plane 2 and control signals of the control plane 2 with the GM basestation 30 via the user/control-plane interfaces (for example, theS1-U/S1-MME interfaces) between the radio base stations and the corenetworks.

The data processing section 602 performs data processing of theuser/control-plane interfaces (for example, the S1-U/S1-MME interfaces)between the radio base stations and the core networks, and the interface(for example, the SGi interface) with the external network. For example,the data processing section 602 converts L1, L2, UDP/IP and GTP-U userdata of the user plane 2 into user data of lower layers (L1 and L2) ofthe user plane 1 and control signals of lower layers (L1 and L2) of theuser plane 1 (see FIGS. 6A and 6B).

The NW communication section 603 transmits and receives user data of theuser plane 1, control signals of the control plane 1 and so on with theCN 40 via the user/control-plane interfaces (for example, theS1-U/S1-MME interfaces) between the radio base stations and the corenetworks. For example, the NW communication section 603 may communicateby using L1 and L2 (FIGS. 6A and 6B).

The control section 604 controls the NW communication section 601, thedata processing section 602 and the NW communication section 603. Also,the control section 604 may execute NAS control with respect to the GMmobile station 20, or execute S1-AP control with respect to the GM basestation 30.

(1.3.6) Structure of CN 40

As shown in FIG. 7, the CN 40 has a network (NW) communication section401, a data processing section 402, an external network (NW)communication section 403 and a control section 404. Note that thefollowing structure of the CN 40 has only to be constituted with atleast one of the S-GW, the P-GW and the MME that are provided in the CN40.

The NW communication section 401 transmits and receives user data of theuser plane 1 and control signals of the control plane 1 and so on withthe CN 60 via the user/control-plane interfaces (for example, theS1-U/S1-MME interfaces) between the radio base stations and the corenetworks. For example, the NW communication section 401 may communicateby using L1 and L2 (FIGS. 6A and 6B).

The data processing section 402 performs data processing of theuser/control-plane interfaces (for example, the S1-U/S1-MME interfaces)between the radio base stations and the core networks, and the interface(for example, the SGi interface) with the external network. For example,the data processing section 402 performs the conversion process of L1,L2, UDP/IP and GTP-U data of the user plane 1, and L1, L2 and IP data(see FIG. 6A). The data processing section 402 may process L1, L2, IP,SCTP, S1-AP and NAS data of the control plane 1 (see FIG. 6B).

The external NW communication section 403 transmits and receives L1, L2and IP data with the external NW 50 via the interface (for example, theSGi interface) with the external NW 50.

The control section 404 controls the NW communication section 401, thedata processing section 402 and the external NW communication section403. Also, the control section 404 may execute NAS control with respectto the user terminal 11 or execute S1-AP control with respect to theintra-moving object base station 12.

(1.4) Working Effect

As described above, in the mobile communication system according to thefirst embodiment, a cellular system 2 is provided as an internal system(backhaul system) of the cellular systems 1 (see FIG. 4). Theintra-moving object base station 12, which serves as the connectingpoint between the cellular system 1 and the cellular system, and the GMmobile station 20 are connected with the user/control-plane interfaces(for example, the S1-U/S1-MME interfaces) between the radio basestations and the core networks.

By this means, the user terminal 11 connects with (serves) theintra-moving object base station 12 that moves with the moving object10. Consequently, unlike when the user terminal 11 directly connectswith (serves) a macro base station (see FIG. 3), a handover is notrepeated accompanying the movement of the moving object 10. Therefore,even when many user terminals 11 in the moving object 10 perform mobilecommunication, it is still possible to reduce the control overhead dueto handovers and the concentration of traffic, and improve the systemperformance.

(Second Embodiment)

A mobile communication system according to a second embodiment will bedescribed with reference to FIGS. 8 to 11. In the mobile communicationsystem according to the second embodiment, an intra-moving object basestation and a GM mobile station are connected with interfaces betweencore networks and an external network, thereby allowing the GM mobilestation to function as a relay device between an extra-moving objectcellular system and an intra-moving object cellular system.

Here, the interfaces between core networks and an external network is,for example, the SGi interface, but are by no means limited to this.

(2.1) Structure of Mobile Communication System

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of a mobile communication system accordingto the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 8, a mobile communicationsystem 2 includes a radio mobile station (hereinafter, referred to as“GM mobile station”) 20 that is provided in a moving object 10, a radiobase station (hereinafter referred to as “GM base station”) 30 that isplaced along the path of the movement of the moving object 10, and acore network (CN) 40 that is connected to an external network (NW) 50such as the Internet.

In the moving object 10, a user terminal 11, a radio base station(hereinafter referred to as “intra-moving object base station”) 12 toform a cell C (small cell) (first radio base station), and a corenetwork (CN) 13 that is connected with the intra-moving object basestation 12 and the GM mobile station 20 (hereinafter referred to as“intra-moving object CN”). Note that the user terminal 11 is a terminalto support various communication schemes such as LTE, LTE-A and FRA.

The mobile communication system 2 is comprised of an intra-moving objectcellular system, which includes the user terminal 11, the intra-movingobject base station 12 and the intra-moving object CN 13, and anextra-moving object cellular system, which includes the GM mobilestation 20, the GM base station 30 and the CN 40. As shown in FIG. 8,the intra-moving object cellular system and the extra-moving objectcellular system are connected in series, and the interface (for example,the SGi interface) between the core networks and the external network isused between the intra-moving object CN 13, which serves as theconnecting point, and the GM mobile station 20.

In the mobile communication system 2, the GM mobile station 20 managesthe access control, authentication control, mobility control and so onof the user terminal 11 as a proxy. To be more specific, theintra-moving object CN 13 transmits a proxy request signal to the GMmobile station 20, and the GM mobile station 20 aggregates and managesthe access control, authentication control, mobility control and so onof many user terminals 11 as a proxy. Therefore, even when many userterminals 11 in the moving object 10 perform mobile communication, it isstill possible to reduce the control overhead due to handovers and theconcentration of traffic, and improve the system performance.

(2.2) User/Control-Plane Communication Process

Communication using user planes and control planes in the mobilecommunication system according to the second embodiment will bedescribed with reference to FIG. 9 and FIG. 10. FIG. 9 is a diagram toexplain the user/control planes in the mobile communication systemaccording to the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 9, in the mobilecommunication system 2, communication using the user plane 1 andcommunication using the control plane 1 are performed in theintra-moving object cellular system (between the user terminal 11 andthe intra-moving object CN 13). In the extra-moving object cellularsystem (between the GM mobile station 20 and the CN 40), communicationusing the user plane 2 and communication using the control plane 2 arecarried out.

To be more specific, in the user plane 1, uplink user data istransmitted from the user terminal 11 to the intra-moving object CN 13via the intra-moving object base station 12. The uplink user data thatis received in the intra-moving object CN 13 is relayed (forwarded) tothe GM mobile station 20. The downlink user data that is relayed(forwarded) from the GM mobile station 20 is transmitted from theintra-moving object CN 13 to the user terminal 11 via the intra-movingobject base station 12.

Also, in the control plane 1, control signals are transmitted andreceived between the user terminal 11 and the intra-moving object CN 13,between the user terminal 11 and the intra-moving object base station 12and between the intra-moving object base station 12 and the intra-movingobject CN 13. Note that the control signals (uplink/downlink controlsignals) include signals for use for the mobility control, initialaccess authentication control and so on of the user terminal 11.

In the user plane 2, uplink user data that is relayed (forwarded) fromthe intra-moving object CN 13 is transmitted from the GM mobile station20 to the CN 40 via the GM base station 30. The uplink user data that isreceived in the CN 40 is relayed (forwarded) to the external NW 50. Thedownlink user data from the external NW 50 is transmitted from the CN 40to the GM mobile station 20 via the GM base station 30.

In the control plane 2, proxy control signals are transmitted andreceived between the GM mobile station 20 and the CN 40, between the GMmobile station 20 and the GM base station 30 and between the GM basestation 30 and the CN 40. Note that the control signals (uplink/downlinkcontrol signals) include signals for use for the mobility control,initial access authentication control and so on of the user terminal 11.The proxy control signals that are transmitted and received in thecontrol plane 2 are control signals for aggregating and managing, as aproxy, the access control, authentication control, mobility control andso on of user terminals 11 that are connected to the intra-moving objectbase station 12.

FIG. 10 provide diagrams to show examples of protocol stacks in themobile communication system according to the second embodiment. FIG. 10Ashows user-plane protocol stacks, and FIG. 10B shows control-planeprotocol stacks. Note that the protocol stacks shown in FIGS. 10A and10B are simply examples and are by no means limiting.

As shown in FIG. 10A, in user planes, the user terminal 11 and theintra-moving object base station 12 transmit and receive user data via aradio interface (referred to as “Uu interface” and so on). To be morespecific, communication is carried out by using L1 (layer 1/physicallayer), MAC (Medium Access Control), RLC (Radio Link Control) and PDCP(Packet Data Convergence Protocol). The intra-moving object base station12 converts L1, MAC, RLC and PDCP data into L1, L2, UDP (User DatagramProtocol)/IP (Internet Protocol), GTP-U (GPRS Tunneling Protocol for theUser plane) data.

The intra-moving object base station 12 and the intra-moving object CN13 transmit and receive user data via a user-plane interface (referredto as the “S1-U interface” and so on) between the radio base stationsand the core networks. To be more specific, communication using L1, L2,UDP/IP and GTP-U is carried out.

Although not illustrated, a plurality of gateway devices (for example,an S-GW and a P-GW) are provided in the intra-moving object CN 13.Communication using L1, L2, UDP/IP and GTP-U may be carried out betweenthe S-GW and the P-GW (in the event of GTP S5/S8), and communicationusing L1, L2, IPv4/v6 (Internet Protocol version 4/version 6) and theGRE (Generic Routing Encapsulation) tunnel may be carried out betweenthe S-GW and the P-GW (in the event of PMIP (Proxy Mobile IP) S5/S8).

The gateway device of the intra-moving object CN 13 (for example, theP-GW) converts L1, L2, UDP/IP and GTP-U data into L1, L2 and IP data (inthe event of GTP S5/S8). This gateway device may convert L1, L2,IPv4/v6, GRE-tunnel and IP data into L1, L2 and IP data (in the event ofPMIP S5/S8).

The gateway device of the intra-moving object CN 13 (for example, theP-GW) and the GM mobile station 20 transmit and receive user data via aninterface (referred to as “SGi interface” and so on) between the corenetworks and an external network. To be more specific, communicationusing L1, L2 and IP is carried out. The GM mobile station 20 convertsL1, L2 and IP data into L1, MAC, RLC, PDCP and IP data.

The GM mobile station 20 and the GM base station 30 transmit and receiveuser data via a radio interface (referred to as “Uu interface” and soon). To be more specific, communication using L1, MAC, RLC and PDCP iscarried out, as is the case between the user terminal 11 and theintra-moving object base station 12. The GM base station 30 converts L1,MAC, RLC and PDCP data into L1, L2, UDP/IP and GTP-U data, as does theintra-moving object base station 12.

The GM base station 30 and the CN 40 transmit and receive user data viathe user-plane interface (referred to as “S1-U interface” and so on)between the radio base stations and the core networks. To be morespecific, communication using L1, L2, UDP/IP and GTP-U is carried out.The gateway device (for example, the P-GW) of the CN 40 converts UDP/IP,GTP-U and IP data into L1, L2 and IP data (in the event of GTP S5/S8),as does the gateway device of the intra-moving object CN 13. The gatewaydevice of the CN 40 may convert L1, L2, IPv4/v6, GRE-tunnel and IP datainto L1, L2 and IP data (in the event of PMIP S5/S8).

As shown in FIG. 10B, in the control-plane, the user terminal 11 and theintra-moving object base station 12 transmit and receive control signalsvia a radio interface (referred to as “Uu interface” and so on). To bemore specific, communication using L1, MAC, RLC, PDCP and RRC (RadioResource Control) is carried out. The intra-moving object base station12 converts L1, MAC, RLC, PDCP and RRC data into L1, L2, IP, SCTP(Stream Control Transmission Protocol) and S1-AP data.

The intra-moving object base station 12 and the intra-moving object CN13 transmit and receive control signals via the control-plane interface(referred to as “S1-MME interface” and so on) between the radio basestations and the core networks. To be more specific, communication usingL1, L2, IP, SCTP and S1-AP is carried out.

Similarly, the GM mobile station 20 and the GM base station 30 transmitand receive control signals via a radio interface (referred to as “Uuinterface” and so on). To be more specific, communication using L1, MAC,RLC, PDCP and RRC is carried out. The intra-moving object base station12 converts L1, MAC, RLC, PDCP and RRC data into L1, L2, IP, SCTP andS1-AP data.

The GM base station 30 and the CN 40 transmit and receive controlsignals (proxy control signals) via the control-plane interface(referred to as the “S1-MME interface” and so on) between the radio basestations and the core networks. To be more specific, communication usingL1, L2, IP, SCTP and S1-AP is carried out.

(2.3) Structure of Each Device

The structure of each device in the mobile communication systemaccording to the second embodiment will be described with reference toFIG. 11. FIG. 11 is a diagram to show the structure of each device inthe mobile communication system according to the second embodiment. Notethat each device shown FIG. 11 has hardware including a processor, amemory, an RF (Radio Frequency) circuit, an antenna, a display, a userinterface, and a software module to be executed by the processor isstored in the memory. Each device structure may be implemented by theabove-noted hardware, may be implemented by the software module that isexecuted by the processor, or may be implemented by the combination ofboth.

(2.3.1) Structure of User Terminal 11

As shown in FIG. 11, a user terminal 11 has a radio communicationsection 111, a data processing section 112, a control section 113 and acable communication section 114. Note that the cable communicationsection 114 may be omitted.

The radio communication section 111 transmits and receives user data ofthe user plane 1, control signals of the user plane 1 and so on, withthe intra-moving object base station 12, via a radio interface (forexample, the Uu interface). For example, the radio communication section111 may communicate by using L1 (see FIGS. 10A and 10B). Note that theradio communication section 111 may carry out radio communication withmacro base stations and small base stations provided outside the movingobject 10.

The data processing section 112 performs data processing of the radiointerface (for example, the Uu interface). For example, the dataprocessing section 112 performs data processing of user data by usingMAC, RLC, PDCP, IP and the application protocol (see FIG. 10A). The dataprocessing section 112 performs data processing of control signals byusing L1, MAC, RLC, PDCP, RRC and NAS (Non-Access Stratum) (see FIG.10B). Note that the control signals include signals for use for themobility control, initial access authentication control and so on of theuser terminal 11.

The control section 113 controls the radio communication section 111,the data processing section 112 and the cable communication section 114.The control section 113 may execute NAS control with respect to the CN40, or execute RRC control with respect to the intra-moving object basestation 12.

The cable communication section 114 transmits and receives user datawith the GM mobile station 20 by using a cable that extends from the GMmobile station 20. The GM mobile station 20 uses the same protocol stackas that of the user terminal 11 (see FIG. 10A). Consequently, the cablecommunication section 114 can transmit and receive user data with the GMmobile station 20 without involving an intra-moving object base station12 and an intra-moving object CN 13, which will be described later.

(2.3.2) Structure of Intra-Moving Object Base Station

As shown in FIG. 11, the intra-moving object base station 12 has a radiocommunication section 121, a data processing section 122, a network (NW)communication section 123 and a control section 124.

The radio communication section 121 transmits and receives user data ofthe user plane 1, control signals of the user plane 1 and so on, withthe user terminal 11, via a radio interface (for example, the Uuinterface). For example, the radio communication section 121 maycommunicate by using L1 (see FIGS. 10A and 10B).

The data processing section 122 performs data processing of the radiointerface (for example, the Uu interface) and the user/control-planeinterfaces (for example, the S1-U/S1-MME interfaces) between the radiobase stations and the core networks. For example, the data processingsection 122 may perform the conversion process of MAC, RLC and PDCP userdata and L1, L2, UDP/IP and GTP-U user data (see FIG. 10A). The dataprocessing section 122 may perform the conversion process of MAC, RLC,PDCP and RRC control signals and L2, IP, SCTP and S1-AP control signals(see FIG. 10B).

The NW communication section 123 transmits and receives user data of theuser plane 1, control signals of the control plane 1 and so on, with theintra-moving object CN 13, via the user/control-plane interfaces (forexample, the S1-U/S1-MME interfaces) between the radio base stations andthe core networks.

The control section 124 controls the radio communication section 121,the data processing section 122 and the NW communication section 123.The control section 124 may execute RRC control with respect to the userterminal 11, or execute S1-AP control with respect to the intra-movingobject CN 13. In this case, RRC and S1-AP need not be subjected toconversion in the data processing section 122. The control section 124may transmit a proxy request signal via the NW communication section123. The proxy request signal is a signal to request the GM mobilestation 20 to carry out control-plane communication of a plurality ofuser terminals 11 (for example, handover control, mobility management,etc.) all together as a proxy.

(2.3.3) Structure of Intra-Moving Object CN

As shown in FIG. 11, the intra-moving object CN 13 has a network (NW)communication section 131, a data processing section 132, an externalnetwork (NW) communication section 133 and a control section 134. Notethat the following structure of the intra-moving object CN 13 has onlyto be constituted with at least one of the S-GW, the P-GW and the MMEthat are provided in the CN 60.

The NW communication section 131 transmits and receives user data of theuser plane 1, control signals of the control plane 1 and so on, with theintra-moving object base station 12, via the user/control-planeinterfaces (for example, the S1-U/S1-MME interfaces) between the radiobase stations and the core networks.

The data processing section 132 performs data processing of theuser/control-plane interfaces (for example, the S1-U/S1-MME interfaces)between the radio base stations and the core networks and the interface(for example, the SGi interface) with the external network. For example,the data processing section 132 may perform the conversion process ofL1, L2, UDP/IP and GTP-U user data and L1, L2, IP user data (see FIG.10A). The data processing section 132 may perform data processing of L1,L2, IP, SCTP, S1-AP and NAS control signals (see FIG. 10B).

The external NW communication section 133 transmits and receives userdata with the GM mobile station 20 via the interface (for example, theSGi interface) between the core networks and the external network. Theexternal NW communication section 133 transmits a proxy request signalfor the GM mobile station 20 to the GM mobile station 20.

The control section 134 controls the NW communication section 131, thedata processing section 132 and the external NW communication section133. The control section 134 may execute NAS control with respect to theuser terminal 11, or execute S1-AP control with respect to theintra-moving object base station 12. The control section 134 maytransmit a proxy request signal via the external NW communicationsection 133. The proxy request signal may be controlled by theintra-moving object base station 12 to be transmitted to the GM mobilestation 20.

(2.3.4) Structure of GM Mobile Station 20

As shown in FIG. 11, the GM mobile station 20 has an external network(NW) communication section 205, a data processing section 202, a radiocommunication section 203 and a control section 204.

The external NW communication section 205 transmits and receives userdata with the intra-moving object CN 13 via the interface (for example,the SGi interface) between the core networks and the external network.The external NW communication section 205 receives proxy request signalsfrom the intra-moving object base station 12 and the intra-moving objectCN 13, and outputs these to the control section 204.

The data processing section 202 performs data processing of theinterface (for example, the SGi interface) between the core networks andthe external network and the radio interface (for example, the Uuinterface). For example, the data processing section 202 may perform theconversion process of L1, L2 and IP data and L1, MAC, RLC, PDCP and IPdata (see FIG. 10A). The data processing section 202 may process L1, L2,IP, SCTP, S1-AP and NAS data (see FIG. 10B).

The radio communication section 203 transmits and receives user data ofthe user plane 2 and control signals of the control plane 2 (proxycontrol signals) with the GM base station 30 via a radio interface (forexample, the Uu interface). For example, the radio communication section203 may communicate by using L1 (see FIGS. 10A and 10B).

The radio communication section 203 may carry out radio communicationwith the GM base station 30 by using beamforming. When the radiocommunication section 203 holds many antenna elements, it is possible toexecute even more reliable beamforming with massive MIMO. By means ofbeamforming, it is possible to improve the quality of communicationbetween the GM mobile station 20 and the GM base station 30.

The control section 204 controls the external NW communication section205, the data processing section 202 and the radio communication section203. The control section 204 may execute NAS control with respect to theCN 40, or execute RRC control with respect to the GM base station 30.The control section 204 manages the access control, authenticationcontrol and mobility control and so on of the user terminal 11, as aproxy, in response to proxy request signals from the intra-moving objectbase station 12, the intra-moving object CN 13 and so on.

(2.3.5) Structure of GM Base Station 30

As shown in FIG. 11, the GM base station 30 has a radio communicationsection 301, a data processing section 302, a network (NW) communicationsection 303 and a control section 304.

The radio communication section 301 transmits and receives user data ofthe user plane 2 and control signals of the control plane 2 (proxycontrol signals), with the GM mobile station 20, via a radio interface(for example, the Uu interface). For example, the radio communicationsection 301 may communicate by using L1 (see FIGS. 10A and 10B).

The radio communication section 301 may carry out radio communicationwith the GM mobile station 20 by using beamforming. When the radiocommunication section 301 holds many antenna elements, it is possible toexecute even more reliable beamforming with massive MIMO. By means ofbeamforming, it is possible to improve the quality of communicationbetween the GM mobile station 20 and the GM base station 30.

The data processing section 302 performs data processing of the radiointerface (for example, the Uu interface) and the user/control-planeinterfaces (for example, the S1-U/S1-MME interfaces) between the radiobase stations and the core networks. For example, the data processingsection 302 may perform the conversion process of L1, MAC, RLC, PDCP andIP data and L1, L2, UDP/IP and GTP-U data (see FIG. 10A). The dataprocessing unit 302 may perform the conversion process of L1, MAC, RLC,PDCP and RRC data and L1, L2, IP, SCTP and S1-AP data (see FIG. 10B).

The NW communication section 303 transmits and receives user data of theuser plane 2 and control signals of the control plane 2 (proxy controlsignals) with the CN 40 via the user/control-plane interfaces (forexample, the S1-U/S1-MME interfaces) between the radio base stations andthe core networks.

The control section 304 controls the radio communication section 301,the data processing section 302 and the NW communication section 303.The control section 304 may execute RRC control with respect to the GMmobile station 20, or execute S1-AP control with respect to the CN 40.In this case, RRC and S1-AP need not be subjected to conversion in thedata processing section 302.

(2.3.6) Structure of CN 40

As shown in FIG. 11, the CN 40 has a network (NW) communication section401, a data processing section 402, an external network (NW)communication section 403 and a control section 404. Note that thefollowing structure of the CN 40 has only to be constituted with atleast one of the S-GW, the P-GW and the MME that are provided in the CN40.

The NW communication section 401 transmits and receives user data of theuser plane 2 and control signals of the control plane 2 (proxy controlsignals) with the GM base station 30 via the user/control-planeinterfaces (for example, the S1-U/S1-MME interfaces and so on) betweenthe radio base stations and the core networks.

The data processing section 402 performs data processing of theinterface (for example, the SGi interface) between the core networks andthe external network. For example, the data processing section 402 mayperform conversion process of L1, L2, UDP/IP and GTP-U data and L1, L2and IP data (see FIG. 10A). Also, the data processing section 402 mayprocess L1, L2, IP, SCTP, S1-AP and NAS data (see FIG. 10B).

The external NW communication section 403 communicates with the externalNW 50 via the interface between the core networks and the externalnetwork (the SGi interface and so on).

The control section 404 controls the NW communication section 401, thedata processing section 402 and the external NW communication section403. Also, the control section 404 may execute NAS control with respectto the GM mobile station 20, or execute S1-AP control with respect tothe GM base station 30.

In this way, the mobile communication system according to the secondembodiment is a mobile communication system, which includes anintra-moving object cellular system (first communication system)featuring a user terminal 11 that is present in the moving object 10, anintra-moving object base station 12 (first radio base station) thatforms a cell within the moving object 10, and an intra-moving object CN13 (first core network) that is connected with the intra-moving objectbase station 12, and an extra-moving object cellular system (firstcommunication system) featuring a GM mobile station 20 (radio mobilestation) that is provided in the moving object 10, a GM base station 30(second radio base station) that form cells on the path of the movementof the moving object 10, and a CN 40 (second core network) that isconnected to the GM base station 30 and an external network, and inwhich the intra-moving object CN 13 and the GM mobile station 20 areconnected via interfaces between the core networks and the externalnetwork.

(2.4) Working Effect

As described above, in the mobile communication system according to thesecond embodiment, an intra-moving object cellular system and anextra-moving object cellular system are connected in parallel (see FIG.8), and the interface (for example, the SGi interface) between corenetworks and an external network is used between an intra-moving objectCN 13, which serves as the connecting point, and a GM mobile station 20.

The GM mobile station 20 manages the access control, authenticationcontrol, mobility control and so on of the user terminal 11 as a proxy.Therefore, even when many user terminals 11 in a moving object 10perform mobile communication, it is still possible to reduce the controloverhead due to handovers and the concentration of traffic, and improvethe system performance.

Now, although the present invention has been described in detail withreference to the above embodiment, it should be obvious to a personskilled in the art that the present invention is by no means limited tothe embodiment described herein. The present invention can beimplemented with various corrections and in various modifications,without departing from the spirit and scope of the present inventiondefined by the recitations of claims. Consequently, the descriptionherein is provided only for the purpose of explaining examples, andshould by no means be construed to limit the present invention in anyway.

The disclosure of Japanese Patent Application No. 2013-255501, filed onDec. 10, 2013, including the specification, drawings and abstract, isincorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A mobile communication system comprising: afirst communication system, which includes: a user terminal that ispresent in a moving object; a first radio base station connected to theuser terminal via a first radio interface; and a first core network thatis connected to an external network; and a second communication system,which includes: a radio Group Mobility (GM) mobile station that isprovided in the moving object; a second radio base station connected tothe GM mobile station via a second radio interface; and a second corenetwork that is connected to the second radio base station and the firstcore network, wherein lower layer data of user data that is transmittedand received on a first user plane between the user terminal and thefirst core network, and lower layer data of control signals that aretransmitted and received on a control plane between the user terminaland the first core network, are transmitted and received on a seconduser plane that is provided between the GM mobile station and the secondcore network.
 2. The mobile communication system according to claim 1,wherein: the user terminal and the first radio base station transmit andreceive the user data and the control signals via the first radiointerface.
 3. The mobile communication system according to claim 2,wherein: the GM mobile station and the external radio base stationtransmit and receive the user data that is formed with the lower layerdata of the user data and the control signals via the second radiointerface.
 4. The mobile communication system according to claim 2,wherein control signals in the second communication system aretransmitted and received in the second control plane that is providedbetween the GM mobile station and the second core network.
 5. The mobilecommunication system according to claim 2, wherein the lower layer datais L1 (layer 1) and L2 (layer 2) data.
 6. The mobile communicationsystem according to claim 1, wherein: the first and second user-planeinterfaces are S1-U interfaces; and the first and second control-planeinterfaces are S1-MME interfaces.
 7. The mobile communication systemaccording to claim 3, wherein control signals in the secondcommunication system are transmitted and received in the second controlplane that is provided between the GM mobile station and the second corenetwork.
 8. The mobile communication system according to claim 3,wherein the lower layer data is L1 (layer 1) and L2 (layer 2) data. 9.The mobile communication system according to claim 2, wherein: the firstand second user-plane interfaces are S1-U interfaces; and the first andsecond control-plane interfaces are S1-MME interfaces.
 10. The mobilecommunication system according to claim 3, wherein: the first and seconduser-plane interfaces are is an S1-U interfaces; and the first andsecond control-plane interfaces are S1-MME interfaces.
 11. A first radiobase station that forms a cell in a moving object, the first radio basestation comprising: a transceiver that: transmits and receives user dataand control signals with a user terminal that is present in the movingobject via a radio interface; and transmits and receives lower layerdata of the user data with a Group Mobility (GM) mobile station providedin the moving object via a first user-plane interface and transmits andreceives lower layer data of the control signals via a firstcontrol-plane interface; and a processor that performs data processingbetween the first radio interface and the first user-plane interface andthe first control-plane interface, wherein the lower layer data of theuser data and the lower layer data of the control signals aretransmitted and received on a second user plane that is provided betweenthe GM mobile station and a second core network connected to a firstcore network and the second radio base station connected to the GMmobile station via a second radio interface.
 12. A Group Mobility (GM)mobile station that is provided in a moving object, the GM mobilestation comprising: a processor with a memory; and a transceiver coupledto the processor, wherein the processor causes the transceiver to:transmit and receive, with a first radio base station, lower layer dataof user data that is transmitted and received between the first radiobase station that forms a cell in a moving object, and a user terminalthat is present in the moving object, via a first user-plane interfacebetween the radio base station and a core network, and transmits andreceives lower layer data of control signals that are transmitted andreceived between the first radio base station and the user terminal viaa first control-plane interface between the radio base station and thecore network; and transmit and receive user data that is formed with thelower layer data of the user data and the control signals, with a secondradio base station connected to the GM mobile station via a second radiointerface, via a second radio interface, and wherein lower layer data ofthe user data and lower layer data of the control signals aretransmitted and received on a second user plane that is provided betweenthe GM mobile station and a second core network connected to the secondradio base station and the first core network.
 13. A mobilecommunication method in a mobile communication system comprising a firstcommunication system, which includes a user terminal that is present ina moving object, a first radio base station connected to the userterminal via a first radio interface, and a first core network that isconnected to an external network, and a second communication system,which includes a Group Mobility (GM) mobile station that is provided inthe moving object, a second radio base station connected to the GMmobile station via a second radio interface, and a second core networkthat is connected to the second radio base station and the first corenetwork, the mobile communication method comprising: transmitting andreceiving, by the user terminal and the first radio base station, userdata and control signals via the first radio interface; and transmittingand receiving, by the first radio base station and the GM mobilestation, lower layer data of the user data via a first user-planeinterface, and transmitting and receiving, by the first radio basestation and the GM mobile station, lower layer data of the controlsignals via a control-plane interface wherein lower layer data of theuser data and lower layer data of the control signals are transmittedand received on a second user plane that is provided between the GMmobile station and the second core network.